Keuchel, Wisler throw zeros; Astros walk off
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Astros No. 4 prospect Derek Fisher lined a two-run double and Jake Mayfield won it with a two-run single as Houston rallied for four in the ninth inning to beat Atlanta, 5-4, on Friday at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.
Astros starter Dallas Keuchel, making his second Grapefruit League start after blanking Washington over three innings on Sunday, shut out the Braves over four innings, yielding three singles while striking out two without issuing a walk. The Astros turned two double plays, helping Keuchel face one batter over the minimum in his 42-pitch outing (29 strikes).
• Keuchel enjoying healthy reps
"I felt really good. It's just a continuation from the last start out, and the stamina was there," Keuchel said. "I probably could have thrown another inning or two, so that's a good sign."
Braves right-hander Matt Wisler made his first start this spring a successful one following three rocky relief appearances in which he allowed eight runs on 11 hits over 7 1/3 innings, with six strikeouts and three walks. But he was effective and efficient on Friday, giving up just one hit over four innings while striking out two without giving up a walk.
"I made some adjustments today. I pitched pretty well, I thought, for the most part," said Wisler, who could make the Braves' roster as either a starter or long reliever, or open the season in Triple-A. "If I can make it as long relief, I'll take any role I can get on the big league team."
• Wisler still has shot at roster spot
Lane Adams and Emilio Bonifacio delivered two hits apiece for the Braves, and both scored a run. Prospect Rio Ruiz, a former Astro, also had two hits, including a two-run single.
Braves Up Next: Shortstop Dansby Swanson, out since March 4, is expected to return to the lineup when the Braves face the visiting Tigers in Lake Buena Vista in a 1:05 p.m. ET game on Gameday Audio on Saturday. Bartolo Colon is set to make his fifth start this spring for the Braves. Mike Pelfrey is the Tigers' scheduled starter.
Astros Up Next: Right-hander Charlie Morton gets the start for Houston in a 1:05 p.m. ET game on Gameday Audio on Saturday. The Astros will be the visitors vs. the Nationals at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.
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